The 2024 season of the Chinese Super League (CSL) has entered its off-season, and the dynamics of the teams in the transfer market are highly anticipated by fans. On December 17th, numerous transfer news emerged, allowing us to sort through them together.
Transfer Ban Lift Situation
According to Zhu Yi from Transfermarkt China, domestic clubs are actively addressing disputes related to FIFA's transfer registration ban. Overnight, six fewer transfer registration bans were in place. Among them, Cangzhou Mighty Lions and Wuhan Three Towns made significant progress. Cangzhou Mighty Lions resolved three bans and now only has one remaining; Wuhan Three Towns also lifted three bans, leaving two. However, there have been no changes in the transfer bans for Guangzhou FC, Jiangxi Lushan, and Yanbian Longding. Guangzhou FC and Yanbian Longding each have one ban, while Jiangxi Lushan has three.
Wuhan Three Towns has shown a positive attitude towards clearing arrears, having recently paid two months' wages, resolving all outstanding wages for this year. The remaining arrears from last year will also begin to be resolved next month. After players receive their back wages, the issue of signing the wage confirmation form is basically resolved. Upon completion of the signatures, Wuhan Three Towns will submit complete access materials to the Football Association. If the review is passed, they are expected to appear on the second batch of the arrears clearance list.
Transfer Dynamics of Each Team
1. Shanghai Port
Shanghai Port's recruitment plan is highly anticipated. According to local media, the team has clear goals for reinforcement and will introduce an excellent full-back. After Muscat took office, the team mainly played a high-pressure pressing tactic, which consumes a lot of energy from the full-backs. With the prospect of multi-front battles next year, it is essential to introduce a full-back for rotation. Potential targets include former Tianjin Tiger full-back Tomorrow, among others. At the same time, domestic players Tao Qianglong and Liu Ruofan, formerly of Wuhan Three Towns, are rumored to be in close communication with Shanghai Port, with the possibility of one or both joining.
In addition, considering Wu Lei's injury situation and the state of the new season, after Bargas was announced by Saudi media to join Saudi Super League team Al-Hilal with a post-tax salary of 6 million euros, Shanghai Port also needs to introduce an excellent foreign forward to ensure the team's offensive firepower. According to Brazilian media reports, Shanghai Port recently focused on Saulo Mineiro, the 27-year-old forward from Brazilian second-tier league team Ceará. This player is valued at 900,000 euros, scored 11 goals with 6 assists in 30 appearances in the Brazilian second-tier league this season, performed outstandingly, helping Ceará promote to the Brazilian first-tier league next season. He once faced off against Muscat's Yokohama F. Marinos, so Muscat may be interested in introducing him. At the same time, the renewal issue of the team's core Oscar will also get the final answer in the next two weeks!
2. Beijing Guoan
According to domestic media reports, Li Lei returned to China on December 9th, and Zhang Yuning is expected to return on the 19th. After more than two weeks of rehabilitation treatment, their physical conditions have significantly improved and they are recovering well. They will participate in the team's winter training in January. Both Li Lei and Zhang Yuning are important players for Guoan, and their recovery is crucial for Guoan's performance in the new season as well as China's national team's World Cup campaign.
Recently, new coach Setien accepted an exclusive interview with Guoan's official website, stating: "In the new season, we will focus on attacking football. I hope my attacking philosophy, especially what I want to convey to the players is that on the field, our most important goal is to quickly approach the opponent's goal and strive to score. This philosophy also aligns with Beijing Guoan, this great club."
3. Shanghai Shenhua
According to domestic media sources, Shenhua will not renew Fernando's contract, who has returned to Brazil. Fernando joined Shenhua on loan this year, playing 13 games and contributing 1 goal and 2 assists, falling short of expectations. Given his advanced age and inconsistent form, it is reasonable for Shenhua not to renew his contract, and it is likely that Fernando will not appear in the CSL next season. In addition, after the opening of the winter transfer window, Shenhua signed Guangzhou FC defender Wang Shilong to strengthen the defensive line. Goalkeeper Ma Zhen is currently close to newly promoted Yunnan Yulong, while Xie Pengfei and Dai Weijun were revealed to no longer be in coach Slutsky's plans for next season and are looking for new clubs.
Furthermore, there are multiple rumors about the future directions of the 35-year-old veteran Cao Yunding, whose contract is about to expire, and the departed foreign player Malele. Cao Yunding is rumored to possibly join Shanghai Port, while Malele, besides the interest from Seoul FC reported by foreign media, is also favored by relegation-threatened CSL teams. Currently, discussions are still ongoing, without a definitive conclusion.
4. Tianjin Jinmen Tiger
According to Tianjin media reports, judging from the current foreign aid configuration, the new season of Jinmen Tiger requires not only a powerful center-forward but also at least one foreign midfielder. After Kongpanio left last season, the team's foreign forward position needs to be strengthened, and introducing a foreign midfielder is also crucial for stabilizing the midfield.
5. Shandong Taishan
According to Shandong media reports, the foreign aid policy for the 2025 CSL season may be adjusted to "6555." In this context, Taishan must address the "historical legacy issue," specifically the future of Brazilian forward Leonardo. Taishan has three options: terminate the contract, facilitate a transfer, or retain him. Considering his outstanding performance in the 2024 season, if an ideal offer is not received, retaining him is also an option.
6. Wuhan Three Towns
With the progress of the team's access work, Wuhan Three Towns has seen a severe loss of foreign players. If three foreign players, including Kaka, Park Ji-soo, and Balde, all leave, only Mendes will remain, provided that Wuhan Three Towns has settled his arrears. Currently, the team still has four foreign player vacancies. According to domestic media reports, the players of the Three Towns received the back wages yesterday, and the access is basically problem-free. Some domestic players with expired contracts are looking for new clubs, while national team player Liu Dianzuo received offers from two clubs, including newly promoted teams, and players like Zhang Xiaobin and He Chao are not lacking in suitors either.
Final Thoughts
Currently, under the backdrop of the Chinese Football Association's salary cap, the actions of each CSL team in the transfer market will have an impact on the new season's landscape. While actively strengthening their squads, teams also need to consider the club's budget, squad cohesion, and tactical adaptation. Fans are eagerly anticipating the new season of the CSL and hope that each team can make significant acquisitions in the transfer market to bring more exciting matches to the fans.
During the upcoming winter transfer window, it is believed that more transfer news will emerge, and the lineups of each team will gradually become clear. Let's wait and see how each team maneuvers in the transfer market to add new highlights and suspense to the new season of the CSL.